Editor’s Note: Events listed in the calendar must be submitted in writing. Calendar items are not accepted over the telephone. Information may be e-mailed to mevans@thestokesnews.com or faxed to 591-4379. The deadline is 3 p.m. Monday prior to publication. The calendar is reserved for non-profit organizations, school and community events. Ongoing calendar items will publish the last week of each month if space allows. The complete calendar, including ongoing events, may be accessed on the website. Because of space limitations, some announcements only appear the week of the event. If you have a legal requirement to publish an announcement, you must purchase advertising space.

Thurs., Dec. 27

Blood drive — A blood drive honoring Jobie Fie will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church on Dec. 27 from 1:30 to 7 p.m. To schedule an appointment, contact Peggy R. at 671-0151 or Peggy L. at 416-2786. You can also make an appointment by emailing trinityblooddrive@yahoo.com. Photo ID required.

Tues., Jan. 1

Hike — Five Overlooks Challenge — First Day Hike, will be held at 10 a.m. on Jan. 1. The start location is Hanging Rock Trail Head. Join a park ranger celebrating the New Year by hiking to Hanging Rock State Park’s five main scenic mountain overlooks. This 10-mile trail hike will go to Hanging Rock, Wolf Rock, House Rock, Cook Wall, and Moore Knob. This hike will include some strenuous climbs. Breaks will be taken at the overlooks. There will be no facilities along the way. Hikers should come prepared for the winter weather; carry water, lunch, snacks, and personal supplies. Dogs must be leashed. No pre-registration necessary. Hike will be cancelled in the case of unsafe winter road conditions.

Sun., Jan. 6

Genealogy meeting — The next quarterly meeting of the Genealogical Society of Rockingham & Stokes Counties, NC will be held Jan. 6, 2013, from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Danbury Public Library, 1104 Main Street, Danbury. The public is invited to attend. There is no charge. Members of the society will be available to answer any questions on researching your own family tree. Light refreshments will be provided. The guest speaker will be board member Debbie Cummings, who is president of Davis Chapel Historical Association, treasurer of Stokes County Historical Society, librarian for the Rockingham and Stokes Genealogical Society, historian for the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and member of several societies. She will present a brief history of the Stokes County Historical Museum. After the regular meeting, there will be an opportunity for the group to tour the Museum, which is also known as the Wilson Fulton House.

Ongoing Events

Donations — Donations for Sandy Hook Elementary School (Newtown, CT) are being collected at the Walnut Cove Public Library through January 19. Basic school supplies are needed: pencils, erasers, lunchboxes, notebooks, lunchboxes, books, etc.

Poetry contest — The Christian Poets Society is sponsoring a free poetry contest open to everyone. There are 50 prizes totaling $5,000, with a $1,000 grand prize for the winner. Poems of 21 lines or less on any subject and in any style will be judged by the contest director Dr. Jerome Cousins. Send poem to: Free Poetry Contest, 106 Cambria Cir., Citrus Heights, CA 95621. Or enter at www.freecontest.com. Deadline for entering is Dec. 31, 2012. Include your name and address on the same page as your poem. For a winner’s list please enclose a stamped return envelope. It will also be posted online.